I was one of the fortunate people who was invited to the screening of this film in Cambridge a few months ago. Without the temptation to refer to the plot, I would summarise this work as a refreshing and insightful piece that realistically portrays an educated middle-aged Russian woman trying to find herself in a foreign culture whilst having very limited opportunities. It particularly struck a chord with me because it somewhat reminded me of a story I witnessed in my own family: the emotional turmoil that my mother faced having moved to the UK from Russia where she was in a respected and successful academic post, but subsequently had to make do with some low-profile job opportunities that stunted her personal and professional growth. Marina's soul is aching for fulfilment beyond the mundane tasks of an every day life in a small village. You can almost 'feel' her emotional emptiness and you sense her being out of place, her desire to fly out of a cage that her life seems to have become since moving to the UK. Is this what most highly-educated creative Russian women endure when they relocate to a foreign country? I really liked the character of Marina's husband, mostly for the loyalty and kindness despite quite profound life-changing events that unravel.
The movie skilfully conveys a huge range of emotions. There is a place for tears and there is a place for a smile. What is certain is that it left me with a deep feeling of HOPE.
The movie skilfully conveys a huge range of emotions. There is a place for tears and there is a place for a smile. What is certain is that it left me with a deep feeling of HOPE.